Riverdale Ridge High School

Creating a next-generation high school campus designed to foster academic excellence, student connection, and community pride.

One of the largest bond-funded high school construction projects ever completed in Colorado, Riverdale Ridge High School was developed to serve a growing student population while providing a modern, student-centered learning environment. Situated on a 60-acre site, the 253,000-square-foot campus accommodates approximately 1,800 students and combines advanced academic, athletic, and performing arts facilities within a cohesive educational setting.

The campus was designed around a Small Learning Community (SLC) model that organizes students into four distinct learning communities, creating a more personalized educational experience while maintaining the benefits of a larger comprehensive high school. Academic spaces include multiple classroom pods featuring science laboratories and traditional learning environments designed to support collaboration, innovation, and student engagement.

Athletics play a prominent role on campus, with facilities that support a wide range of programs and community events. Amenities include a 4,000-seat football stadium and track complex, auxiliary athletic fields, baseball and softball fields, a flex field, tennis courts, a large gymnasium with seating for 3,000 spectators, a secondary gymnasium, wrestling room, cheer and dance studio, weight room, and expansive locker facilities.

The performing arts component includes a 500-seat auditorium equipped with professional stage lighting and control systems, along with dedicated choir and band rooms that support music and theater education. These spaces provide students with opportunities to develop creative skills while serving as venues for school and community events.

Located at the main entrance, the Administration and Media Center establish a welcoming front door to the campus. The second-floor Media Center offers panoramic views of Colorado’s Front Range, creating an inspiring environment for learning and study. A large student commons serves as the social heart of the school, encouraging interaction among students and staff while also functioning as flexible pre-function space for after-hours events associated with the auditorium and gymnasium.

In addition to the building itself, the project included significant site infrastructure improvements, including more than two miles of city and county roadways and the installation of water and storm sewer systems necessary to support the growing community.

The result is a state-of-the-art educational campus that balances academic achievement, extracurricular opportunities, and community engagement while providing students with an environment designed to support success for generations to come.